Content uploaded by José Manuel Reyes-González
Author content
All content in this area was uploaded by José Manuel Reyes-González on Oct 01, 2018
Content may be subject to copyright.
A preview of the PDF is not available
Migration and Spatial Ecology of the Spanish Populations of Scopoli's and Cory's shearwaters (Migración y ecología espacial de las poblaciones españolas de pardela cenicienta)
Abstract and Figures
This book has been published by the Spanish Society of Ornithology (SEO/BirdLife) in the framework of the MIGRA programme. In this work we analyse the movement ecology and at-sea behaviour of two related seabird species under conservation concern: the Scopoli's and the Cory's Shearwater. It focuses on Spanish populations, covering the entire distribution range of the species in the country. A large set of remote tracking data was compiled in order to get critical knowledge to enhance conservation status, including data from 6 years and 13 breeding colonies, more than 300 year-round journeys and more than 1,500 foraging trips. We present the main insights regarding at-sea ecology and year-round movements, including: the identification of the foraging grounds, resting areas and commuting corridors during the breeding period; the characterization of migratory phenology and main migratory flyways; the location and characteristics of the wintering quarters; the migratory conectivity; and the differences in at-sea behaviour by population and wintering area. Moreover, we provide to non-specialized readers an introduction to technical details of remote tracking systems employed in order to ensure a correct interpretation of results and figures. The book was conceived to reach out scientific but also out-of-science audiences, such as environmental managers, and for that reason the main text does not extend in details about methodology. Many figures and animations are provided to reach broader public. The book is written in Spanish, but captions of figures and tables remarking the main findings, as well as an extended summary, are provided in English.
Figures - uploaded by José Manuel Reyes-González
Author content
All figure content in this area was uploaded by José Manuel Reyes-González
Content may be subject to copyright.
Seasonal migration has evolved as an adaptation for exploiting peaks of resource abundance and avoiding unfavourable climatic conditions. Differential migratory strategies and choices of wintering areas by long‐distance migratory species may impose varying selective pressures and mortality risks with fitness consequences. Recently developed tracking technologies allow wintering movements of migratory species to be studied. However, these technologies typically involve a limited number of tracked individuals, which gives low statistical power for any robust estimate of survival probabilities. Additionally, when utilising geolocators, data become accessible only upon individual recapture, presenting a potential source of bias. We used multievent modelling to include information of 147 identified wintering tracks in the analysis of 1104 long‐term individual capture histories (2000–2022) of migratory seabird Calonectris diomedea and then test if individual preferences for wintering areas may drive heterogeneity in adult survival. We also examined individual fidelity to wintering areas and tested if climatic and oceanographic conditions, as represented by the wNAO and SOI climatic indices, influenced survival and fidelity. The probability of fidelity to a wintering area was ca. 0.79. Annual changes between areas were influenced by environmental variability driven by the wNAO. Survival probability was influenced by the SOI and differed between wintering areas; these differences coupled with high wintering site fidelity, generated individual heterogeneity in adult survival. Our study reveals that, over the last two decades, some individuals wintered in less suitable areas, with nonnegligible consequences on adult survival, the parameter to which the population growth rate is most sensitive in long‐lived species. Winter oceanographic conditions such as stormy weather or the proximity to upwellings probably play a relevant role in driving survival heterogeneity. Further research is needed to enhance our understanding of how the interlinked effects of climate, local selective pressures and individual condition shape population dynamics in migratory species.
Simple Summary
This investigation describes the intricate anatomy of the central nervous system (CNS) and its related structures in Cory’s shearwater, employing anatomical cross-sections and imaging methodologies like computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). This study represents the inaugural comprehensive portrayal of the head anatomy in Cory’s shearwater, and the findings derived from this study promise to enrich future research in both the anatomical and pathological fields of closely related species.
Abstract
Cory’s shearwater, or Calonectris borealis, stands out as a symbolic figure in the world of seabirds, playing a crucial role in marine ecosystems globally. Belonging to the Procellariidae family, it is singularized by its imposing wingspan and intricate migration patterns connecting it to various regions from the North Atlantic to the Pacific. Its role in the marine food chain, specialized diet and adaptation for nesting in the Canary Archipelago underscore its ecological importance. However, Cory’s shearwater also faces important threats, such as the invasion of foreign species, highlighting the need for its conservation. Among the conservation issues, studies on its biology, the main threats it faces and its normal anatomy are essential to preserve marine biodiversity. Additionally, a variety of imaging techniques, such as computed tomography and magnetic resonance, facilitates the understanding of the bird’s neuroanatomy and opens future research possibilities in comparative neuroscience. Moreover, this approach proves particularly relevant given the increasing attention these seabirds receive in environments such as zoos, rehabilitation centers and their natural habitat, where veterinarians play a crucial role in their care and well-being.
Simple Summary
Cory’s Shearwater (Calonectris borealis) is a fascinating subject to explore the life and complexities of marine birds. Hence, we believe that knowledge of its coelomic cavity could provide essential information for biologists, veterinarians, and researchers. In this paper, we describe its coelomic cavity using anatomical cross-sections combined with computed tomography images to better understand the complex organization that encloses the different components of this cavity.
Abstract
Birds play a crucial role in ecosystems, engaging in key functions such as pollination, pest control, and seed dispersal. The anatomical understanding of these species is essential to addressing emerging challenges, including climate change and habitat loss, which directly impact their survival. Detailed knowledge of avian anatomy is fundamental for research across various disciplines, ranging from ornithology to veterinary medicine. Therefore, this study aims to disseminate the understanding of avian anatomy and the application of computed tomography (CT) for visualizing the coelomic cavity in Cory’s Shearwater (Calonectris borealis). Recent advances in comprehending the anatomical structures of this region in avian species are highlighted, with a specific focus on Cory’s Shearwater as a study model. Various anatomical cross-sections and transverse CT images were described and analyzed in detail, offering a comprehensive insight into the coelomic cavity from different perspectives. The correlation between anatomical cross-sections and CT images is emphasized as crucial for a profound understanding of avian anatomy. This research contributes to the broader knowledge of avian anatomy, with potential implications for conservation efforts and veterinary practices.
Sexual segregation in foraging strategies has been little studied in marine species with slight sexual size dimorphism (SSD), particularly regarding the role of environmental conditions and fishery activities. Sexual differences in fishery attendance are of particular concern because uneven mortality associated with bycatch may exacerbate impacts in wildlife populations.
Using a seabird species with slight SSD, the Scopoli's shearwater Calonectris diomedea, we assessed sexual differences in foraging strategies and evaluated whether annual environmental conditions and fishery activity shaped such differences.
We used a 4‐year dataset combining bird GPS tracking, stable isotope analysis, the North Atlantic Oscillation index (NAO, as main proxy of the annual environmental conditions), and fishing vessel positioning data (Vessel Monitoring System, VMS) from the North Western Mediterranean, a region under intense fishery pressure.
From 2012 to 2015, we tracked 635 foraging trips from 78 individuals. Females showed a greater foraging effort, a lower fishery attendance, a lower trophic level, and a narrower isotopic niche width than males. Moreover, in years with unfavourable environmental conditions, both sexes showed a lower fishery attendance and increased foraging effort compared to the year with most favourable conditions.
Our results revealed that environmental conditions influence space use, feeding resources and fishery attendance differently in males and females, overall suggesting competitive exclusion of females by males from main foraging areas and feeding resources, particularly in unfavourable environmental conditions. We highlight the importance of evaluating sexual segregation under disparate environmental conditions, particularly in species with slight SSD, since segregation may pass otherwise unnoticed if only years with similar environmental conditions are considered. The higher fishery attendance of males likely explains the male‐biased bycatch ratio for this species. Thus, inter‐sexual differences in foraging strategies can lead to an unbalanced exposure to relevant threats and have implications for the conservation of long‐lived species.
Bycatch is one of the main threats to marine biodiversity, affecting ocean ecosystems at a worldwide scale. The main focus of bycatch studies has been on the impact of larger vessels, with few studies assessing the impact of artisanal fisheries. Moreover, bycatch studies are often limited to a small number of marine regions, and significant gaps still exist in our knowledge of the spatial and temporal patterns of seabird bycatch. Here we present a multi-approach method to accurately quantify seabird bycatch driven by small- and medium-sized fishing fleets operating in a high priority area for seabird conservation on the Portuguese mainland. Results of three mitigation measures to reduce seabird bycatch on fishing gear where seabird bycatch is most likely to occur were also tested: high contrast panels in bottom gillnets, black hooks in demersal longlines and a bird scaring device in purse seines. The efficacy, acceptance, and economic viability were tested for each mitigation measure. Sixty-seven individuals of seven seabird species were bycaught during 295 monitored fishing trips between 2015 and 2018. Bycatch occurred mainly in demersal longlines (0.07 birds fishing event ⁻¹ ), followed by purse seines (0.02 birds fishing event ⁻¹ ) and bottom gillnets (0.01 birds fishing event ⁻¹ ). Nevertheless, the bird scaring device caused birds to interact less with the vessel (the presence of gulls was reduced by 11%), thus decreasing the likelihood of bycatch. This device has proved to be low-cost (representing less than 5% income of a single day’s landings) and easy to implement, being also well accepted by purse seine fishermen. It was not possible to evaluate the efficacy of high contrast panels and black hooks, as no bycatch events were recorded during trials.
Using geolocator-immersion loggers, we tracked for the first time the migration of one Cory’s Shearwater Calonectris borealis fledgling, from its breeding colony in the Canary Islands, and along its first year of life. The juvenile bird initially followed the same migratory path as the adults but visited different areas of the Central and the South Atlantic Ocean.
Technological advances in recent years have seen an explosion of tracking and stable isotope studies of seabirds, often involving repeated measures from the same individuals. This wealth of new information has enabled the extensive variation among and within individuals in foraging and migration strategies (movements, habitat use, feeding behaviour, trophic status, etc.) to be examined in unprecedented detail. Variation is underpinned by key life-history or state variables such as sex, age and breeding stage, and residual differences among individuals (termed ‘individual specialization’). This variation has major implications for our understanding of seabird ecology because it affects the use of resources, level of intra-specific competition, and niche partitioning. In addition, it determines the responses of individuals and populations to the environment, and the susceptibility to major anthropogenic threats. Here we review the effects of season (breeding vs nonbreeding periods), breeding stage, breeding status, age, sex, and individual specialization on variation in foraging and migration strategies, and the consequences for population dynamics and conservation.
http://www.seo.org/boletin/seguimiento/migracion/01_gaviota_audouin/
Bycatch mortality in longline fisheries is considered the main threat at sea for numerous seabird species. These incidental catches occur worldwide, but mortality levels are mainly determined by the specific traits of the fishery operating in each area and the feeding behaviour and local abundance of seabirds. In the Mediterranean, demersal artisanal longliners are known to catch several seabirds, but bycatch rates and the main factors influencing both the probability and the level of seabird bycatch are poorly known. From 2011 to 2015 we conducted 220 trips onboard demersal longline vessels of the Balearic Sea, aiming to study their interaction with seabirds, as well as to understand the detailed procedures of the fishery and the factors that might influence seabird bycatch. Additionally, we recorded bird catches reported by fishermen. We found an average overall bycatch rate of 0.58 birds per 1000 hooks (0.13-1.37, 95% CI), which would imply a conservative estimate ranging from 274 to 2198 seabirds caught annually on demersal longliners in the study area. The most affected species were the 3 endemic and threatened Scopolis, Balearic and Mediter ranean shearwaters of the Medi terranean (Calo nectris dio - medea, Puffinus mauretanicus and P. yelkouan, re - spectively), likely due to their highly aggregative behaviour and diving capabilities. Overall, the main factors influencing bycatch risk were season and time of day. Other influential factors were bait type, wind conditions, gear configuration (specifically, distance between weights), proximity to the breeding colony and the number of hooks. This study shows that mortality caused by demersal longliners is high and may be jeopardizing the viability of the shear water populations. Therefore, the identification and implementation of mitigation measures is urgently required.
Management of highly migratory species is reliant on spatially and temporally explicit information on their distribution and abundance. Satellite telemetry provides time‐series data on individual movements. However, these data are underutilized in management applications in part because they provide presence‐only information rather than abundance information such as density.
Eastern North Pacific blue whales are listed as threatened, and ship strikes have been suggested as a key factor limiting their recovery. Here, we developed a satellite‐telemetry‐based habitat model in a case–control design for Eastern North Pacific blue whales Balaenoptera musculus that was combined with previously published abundance estimates to predict habitat preference and densities. Further, we operationalize an automated, near‐real‐time whale density prediction tool based on up‐to‐date environmental data for use by managers and other stakeholders.
A switching state‐space movement model was applied to 104 blue whale satellite tracks from 1994 to 2008 to account for errors in the location estimates and provide daily positions (case points). We simulated positions using a correlated random walk model (control points) and sampled the environment at each case and control point. Generalized additive mixed models and boosted regression trees were applied to determine the probability of occurrence based on environmental covariates. Models were used to predict 8‐day and monthly resolution, year‐round density estimates scaled by population abundance estimates that provide a critical tool for understanding seasonal and interannual changes in habitat use.
The telemetry‐based habitat model predicted known blue whale hot spots and had seasonal agreement with sightings data, highlighting the skill of the model for predicting blue whale habitat preference and density. We identified high interannual variability in occurrence emphasizing the benefit of dynamic models compared to multiyear averages.
Synthesis and applications . This near‐real‐time tool allows a more accurate examination of the year‐round spatio‐temporal overlap of blue whales with potentially harmful human activities, such as shipping. This approach should also be applicable to other species for which sufficient telemetry data are available. The dynamic predictive product developed here is an important tool that allows managers to consider finer‐scale management areas that are more economically feasible and socially acceptable.
Background
The use of light level loggers (geolocators) to understand movements and distributions in terrestrial and marine vertebrates, particularly during the non-breeding period, has increased dramatically in recent years. However, inferring positions from light data is not straightforward, often relies on assumptions that are difficult to test, or includes an element of subjectivity. ResultsWe present an intuitive framework to compute locations from twilight events collected by geolocators from different manufacturers. The procedure uses an iterative forward step selection, weighting each possible position using a set of parameters that can be specifically selected for each analysis.The approach was tested on data from two wide-ranging seabird species - black-browed albatross Thalassarche melanophris and wandering albatross Diomedea exulans – tracked at Bird Island, South Georgia, during the two most contrasting periods of the year in terms of light regimes (solstice and equinox). Using additional information on travel speed, sea surface temperature and land avoidance, our approach was considerably more accurate than the traditional threshold method (errors reduced to medians of 185 km and 145 km for solstice and equinox periods, respectively). Conclusions
The algorithm computes stable results with uncertainty estimates, including around the equinoxes, and does not require calibration of solar angles. Accuracy can be increased by assimilating information on travel speed and behaviour, as well as environmental data. This framework is available through the open source R package probGLS, and can be applied in a wide range of biologging studies.
Fisheries provide an abundant and predictable food source for many pelagic seabirds through discards, but also pose a major threat to them through bycatch, threatening their populations worldwide. The reform of the European Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), which intends to ban discards through the landing obligation of all catches, may force seabirds to seek alternative food sources, such as baited hooks from longlines, increasing bycatch rates. To test this hypothesis we performed a combined analysis of seabird-fishery interactions using as a model Scopoli’s shearwaters Calonectris diomedea in the Mediterranean. Tracking data showed that the probability of shearwaters attending longliners increased exponentially with a decreasing density of trawlers. On-board observations and mortality events corroborated this result: the probability of birds attending longliners increased 4% per each trawler leaving the longliner proximity and bird mortality increased tenfold when trawlers were not operating. Therefore, the implementation of the landing obligation in EU waters will likely cause a substantial increase in bycatch rates in longliners, at least in the short-term, due to birds switching from trawlers to longliners. Thus the implementation of the landing obligation must be carefully monitored and counterbalanced with an urgent implementation of bycatch mitigation measures in the longline fleet.
This book presents an in-depth discussion of the biological and ecological geography of the oceans. It synthesizes locally restricted studies of the ocean to generate a global geography of the vast marine world. Based on patterns of algal ecology, the book divides the ocean into four primary compartments, which are then subdivided into secondary compartments. *Includes color insert of the latest in satellite imagery showing the world's oceans, their similarities and differences *Revised and updated to reflect the latest in oceanographic research *Ideal for anyone interested in understanding ocean ecology -- accessible and informative.
